Adventure Cycling Association

So maybe this is a silly question, but where do people go to the bathroom on a bike tour? I feel like there aren’t always public restrooms around when you need them.

Dear Asking the Tough Questions,

First of all, there are no silly questions here. And if you’re thinking it, surely a few others are, too. So let’s talk about what to do when “nature calls.” The usefulness of these tips may depend on where you’re touring, but hopefully they’ll still put your mind at ease.

In my experience, the best-case scenario for quick bathroom breaks is a park or rest area with actual running water in its bathrooms. Not only can I wash up properly after said business, but there’s usually a water fountain to fill up my bottles as well. I often ride by myself, so even for a quick break, I try to find a place to lock my bike. If I’m the only one there and there’s room to roll my rig inside, that’s an easy way to keep my bike and belongings secure.

While the running-water bathroom is the holy grail, a pit toilet or porta-potty is the likelier scenario in some areas. I keep a small bottle of hand sanitizer in the outside pocket of my handlebar bag, so I don’t have to feel grimy until the next sink with soap and water.

With a bit of planning the night before, you’ll have a list of ideal pit stops for when you set off in the morning. But sometimes when you gotta go, you gotta go.

“But Brielle,” you ask, “what about populated areas with plenty of stores?” I highlighted parks first because they tend to make for a quicker stop, and on the guided tours I lead, I typically have lunch and snacks packed for the day. But places where you can buy stuff and use the restroom can come in handy, no doubt. Gas stations are the most obvious, but keep in mind that grocery stores almost always have public restrooms. Dollar General stores are also ubiquitous. They typically have great restrooms, and they’re a good place to restock on everything from snacks and drinks to personal care items and batteries.

The nice thing about all these places is that, with a bit of planning the night before, you’ll have a list of ideal pit stops for when you set off in the morning. But sometimes when you gotta go, you gotta go.

Ask any touring cyclist about this, and I’m sure you’ll get a story or two about fumbling to get shorts back in place before a car passes by. I opt for strapless cycling shorts when I’m touring for this exact reason. A few other tips: Wooded areas offer privacy, but watch where you step. No one wants poison oak or ivy, especially on a bike tour. In wide-open country, going a tenth of a mile or so down a quiet side road can minimize car traffic, but you should be careful to avoid private property. In any scenario, do your best to avoid flashing motorists, but don’t let the possibility stress you out.

If your tour includes camping, perhaps it’s the nighttime bio breaks that are, literally, keeping you up. When I took a backpacking course, one of the first tips for sleeping in a tent was: Don’t delay getting up to pee. As long as you have to go, you won’t really be able to sleep, and you need good sleep for your strenuous activity the next day. I further rationalize a nighttime trip to the bathroom as a good opportunity to check out the stars. If this is a more-than-once-a-night activity, it’s seriously cold at night, or you expect bathrooms to be too far away for your comfort, a pee bottle is a great option. Any wide-mouthed container will work. Just make sure it seals tightly, and you clearly label it for that use only.

Some bonus advice since we’re talking about personal topics right now: It’s far better to prevent saddle sores than to deal with them once they’re an issue. If chamois cream is helpful for you, bathroom stops are a good time to reapply. Keep a travel-sized container handy, and you’ll thank me later. Once you arrive at your overnight destination, it’s tempting to kick back and relax right away, but make a point of changing out of your cycling shorts as soon as you can. Even if the shower comes later, perhaps after your tent is set up, having your sensitive bits out of those sweaty cycling clothes will help prevent discomfort down the road.

While no one embarks on a cycling tour to find the most outlandish spots to pee, every once in a while, this becomes another part of the adventure. Try to go with the flow (pun intended) and do your best with the facilities you have available. Happy touring!